Indian Navy saves Maldivian ship, crew

Panaji May 24 (IANS) The Indian Navy has rescued six crew of a Maldivian ship which was adrift in the high seas for five days after propulsion failure official sources said on Wednesday.

The rescued MV Maria 3 crew included nationals of Bangladesh Sri Lanka and Maldives and also a woman. The ship has since been towed back to Male.

The Indian Navy statement said the ship left Male on May 15 but lost contact on May 16 following which the Maldivian Coast Guard requested the Indian Navy s assistance in search and rescue operations.

A Dornier aircraft during an aerial surveillance located the ship drifting about 150 nautical miles south-east of Male on May 20 with all survivors safe onboard the statement said.

Subsequently Indian Naval warship INS Kirch was informed and the Maldivian vessel was towed back to Male.

--IANS
maya/tsb/bg